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Welcome to 7th IWLS
A “Lean Satellite” is a satellite that utilizes non-traditional, risk-taking development and management approaches – with the aim to provide the values of satellites to the stakeholders at low-cost and in short time to realize the satellite mission. These approaches differ significantly from traditional approaches to satellite development. The term “Lean Satellite” was born during the activities related to the international standardization of small/micro/nano/pico satellite testing starting from 2011. At that time there was no clear definition of the terms “small”, “micro”, “nano”, “pico” that was agreeable to all concerned. To capture the essence of development and management philosophy -- rather than categorizing on the basis of mass or size -- the term “Lean Satellite” was adopted in 2014.
Every year since 2011, an international workshop to discuss various aspects of “Lean Satellites” has been organized. The purpose of 7th workshop in January 2025 is to further promote the study of lean satellites. To deliver the values of satellites to the stakeholders at affordable cost and permissible waiting time, there are various issues to be examined further, such as standards, testing, operation, manufacturing, interfaces, project management, etc. Due to the rise of New Space companies worldwide, the concept of lean satellite is becoming increasingly important.
This workshop intends to serve as an open forum for people interested in making and using satellites differently from the traditional ways. Business meeting sessions that connect overseas participants and Japanese companies will be also organized as a part of the workshop. The workshop will be made of the following sessions (click each session for further explanation),
This session is dedicated to topics related to designing, manufacturing, testing, and operating satellites or constellations at low cost and/or in a short time. Of particular interest is how to design satellites suitable for mass production and streamlined testing, as well as how to mass-manufacture and test both full spacecraft and their components efficiently. Topics related to operating a satellite constellation efficiently and effectively are also welcome.
This session is dedicated to topics related to applications that can be achieved by lean satellites, especially as a constellation, and the technologies needed for such applications. The session topics also include standards for lean satellites, such as ISO-19683 (testing), ISO-17981 (CubeSat Interface), ISO-TS-20991 (requirements), and ISO-17770 (CubeSat). In this session, participants are invited to present on lean satellite projects, discussing their practical applications, mission concepts, and enabling technologies, covering past, current, and future endeavors. Proposals for new standards to promote the growth of lean satellites are also highly welcome.
This session is dedicated to topics related to the launch of lean satellites that ensure timely and low-cost access to space. Considering the trends in lean satellite constellations, viewpoints from launch providers on the safety-related testing of satellites made from the same design with extensive flight heritage are highly welcome.
This session is dedicated to the lessons learned from past lean satellite projects and how they were applied to later satellite projects. The session also addresses practices to improve the mission success rate of lean satellites while maintaining their low cost and fast delivery characteristics.
This session is dedicated to presentations by students and young engineers on lean satellite-related topics. The session is conducted in a poster format to ensure lively interaction between presenters and participants.
When submitting your abstract, please indicate in which session you intend to make your presentation. Please submit your abstract by December 15, 2024.
The workshop is organized by Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan in partnership with Cross U.
Dates: January 14-17, 2025
Venue: X-NIHONBASHI TOWER (Tokyo)
Abstract Submission Deadlines: December 15, 2024
To secure a ticket for the excursion (Sumo wrestling), early registration before September 30 is recommended. After that, tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
